Spatial energy transfer in Nd3+-doped glasses as a function of concentration

Energy transfer processes and the related photon diffusion in Nd3+-doped glasses were investigated. A spatially resolved microluminescence technique was used to measure the spatial distribution of the emitted light as a function of Nd3+-ion concentration. The most efficient concentration for long range photon diffusion was determined as a function of emitting wavelengths. Concentrations of 1.1 wt% Nd2O3 at 880 nm, 1.2 wt% at 1060 nm, and 0.9 wt% at 1330 nm were found. An energy transfer process that involves ions randomly distributed throughout the glassy media at the same time acting as sinks and emitters of photons through which the energy is spatially transferred was proposed.